Chapter Two

Understanding Foreign Policy

1
 • The making of foreign policy begins by identifying the
state’s key national interests.
• The total task of foreign policy is to defend national
interests.
 2.1. Defining National Interest
• It refers to set of values, orientation, goals and objectives
a given country would like to achieve in its international
relations.
• It involves core values of a society in the form of security,
welfare, protection of national way of life, maintaining
territorial integrity, and self- preservation.
• It is the totality of goals and objectives of a state.
• The sum of the goals and objectives of a state’s foreign
policy.
2
 Determines the contents of foreign policy.
 For Plato, the good of the polis (that is the
public good) could best be arrived at by
philosopher king aided by a few highly
learned, detached and fair-minded advisors.
 Plato’s ideas have been used as the
inspiration for dictatorial forms of
government.
 Implemented effectively by loyal, well
trained, and obedient bureaucracies.
3
  Colmbis has provided a multiplicity of criteria used in
defining/determining national interest
 1) Operational Philosophy: Depending on time, location, your
orientation toward the world around you, and in particular the action of
your predecessors, you may choose one of two major style of operation.
 Synoptic orientation:
 Act in a bold and sweeping fashion.
 Introduce major new practices, policies, and institutions and
discontinue others.
 Some confidence that its consequence can be predicted or
controlled.
 Incremental orientation:
 Act in caution, probing, and experimental fashion, following the trial
and error approach.
 Assumes that political and economic problems are too complex
 Seeks to perfect existing legislations, policies, institutions and
practices. 4
 2) Ideological Criteria:
 Identify their friends or enemies countries using the
litmus test of ideology. i.e. Cold war
 National interest may be shaped by underlying
ideological orientations of the regime in power.
3) Moral and Legal Criteria:
 Acting morally : keeping your promise –treaties,
avoiding exploitation and uneven development
between the developing countries and the
developed ones. Acting honestly.
 Acting legally: abiding by the rules of international
law. If there are lacunas, than you act in a general
sprit of equity and justice. 5
 3) Pragmatic Criteria:
 Your orientation is matter of fact, not on
emotions and professions
 By observing issues around you and the
world rationally, prudently.
 Scientific analysis of cost and benefit or
merit and demerit
 Decisions are made without considering
normative issues
 Practical utility than morality and personal
sentiments 6
 4) Professional Advancement Criteria:
 Your action may be manipulated and adjusted in
consideration of your professional survival and
growth (personal success)
 “Play the game” and “not to rock the boat.”
 “Go along to get along”
 Conformist behavior
5) Partisan Criteria:
 To equate the survival and the success of your political
party, or ethnic or religious origin with the survival
and success of your country.
 To equate the interest of your organization (the
army, the foreign office, and so forth) with the national
7
 6) Foreign Dependency Criteria:
 Less developing countries dependent on
foreign countries for technical aid, expertise,
technology, sometimes even for their
security and survival.
 Hence, face difficulties to defend and
promote their national interest.
 National interest appears to be a product
of conflicting wills, ambitions,
motivations, needs, and demands.
8
  Realist international scholars reject the
ideological, legal and moral criteria to define
and shape the contents of national interest.
 They prioritize pragmatic criteria when defining
national interest and employing foreign policy.
 NI is ensuring survival and security of a state.
 Power is a means for achieving and promoting the
interest of state.
 Fail to recognize and prescribe solutions for
addressing global problems because of the
exclusive emphasis given to state and national
interest.
 State-centric particularism. 9
  Idealists have strong belief in the
relevance of legal, ideological and moral
elements
 Specific actions and objective of foreign policy
have often been derived from general moral
and legal guidelines and principles.
 Idealists believe on the prevalence of common
problems of human beings
 Cognizant of such cross-cutting issues,
idealists call for global solutions than local
(national) solutions.
 New institutions with global orientation 10
2.2. Understanding Foreign Policy and
Foreign Policy Behaviors
 2. 2.1. Defining Foreign Policy
 FP refers to the sets of objectives and instruments
that a state adopts to guide its relation with the outside
world.
 It involves the general purposes and specific
strategies a state employs to achieve or promote its
national interest.
 FP is “the set of priorities and percepts established by
national leaders to serve as guidelines for choosing
among various courses of action in specific situations
11
in
 These objectives, visions and goals state aspire to
achieve is commonly referred as NI.
 Morgenthau suggests that the minimum goal a state
would like to achieve is survival.
 Every state should protect their physical, political, and
cultural identities
 Foreign policy also involves specific instruments and
tactics that must be employed to realize those objectives
and goals.
 i.e. diplomatic bargaining, economic instruments,
propaganda, terrorism (sabotage), and use of force (war).
 Each instrument is used to affect the behaviors of other
states, and has an element of power.
 Diplomacy has less element of power.
12
2.2.2. Foreign Policy Objectives
Criteria to classify FPOs
1. The value placed on the objective
2. The time element placed on its
achievement
3. The kind of demands the objective
imposes on other states in international
system.

13
A. Core Interests and Values (Short-Range Objectives)
 To which states commit their very existence and that must be
preserved or extended at all time
 Kinds of goals for which most people are willing to make ultimate
sacrifices.
 States are ready to go to war when all these objectives are threatened
because these are not negotiable or compromising.
 Usually stated in the form of basic principles of foreign policy
 Become article of faith that society accepts without questioning it.
 Sacrosanct by entire peoples residing in the state.
 Related to the self preservation of political and economic systems,
the people and its culture, and the territorial integrity of a state.
 Short-range objectives because other goals cannot be realized if the
existence of the state and its political units are not ensured. 14
 The exact definition of core value or interest in any given
country depends on the attitudes of those who
make foreign policy.
 Extraterritoriality is there when the national interest
and claims of a country is projected beyond the limit of its
geographic boundary.
 States may think that their national interest is at risk
when the interests and security of citizens, or kin ethnic
or religious groups living in the neighboring states and
other states are threatened.
 Nevertheless, the most essential objective of any foreign
policy, core interests and values, is to ensure the
sovereignty and independence of the home territory
and to perpetuate a particular political, social, and
15
economic systems based on that territory
 2. Middle-Range Objectives
 These are less important and less immediate relatively compared to core
objectives.
 Unlike, the short range objective, the middle range objectives drastically
varies across states.
 Due to the difference in the level of economic and technological progress, as
well as the military capability
 To take a course of actions that have the highest impact on the domestic
economic and welfare needs and expectation of its people.
 To provide the people jobs, income, recreation, medical services, and general
security
 To meet economic-betterment demands and needs
 No self-reliant state
 Trade, foreign aid, access to communication facilities, sources of supply,
and foreign market are for most states necessary for increasing social
16
 • Are policies designed to enhance the
state’s international prestige.
• This is often done through:
– diplomatic activity,
– participation in international cultural or
technological exchange programmes, or
– displays of one’s military capabilities
• Mid-term interests in short include fulfilling
material needs, economic needs,
prestige of the nation, scientific and
technological advancement and so
forth. 17
 3. Long- Range Objectives
• These are the least immediate ones to policy makers.
• Universal long range goals-which seldom have
definite time limits.
• Those plans, dreams, and visions concerning the
ultimate political or ideological organization of the
international system
• Their purpose is no less than to reconstruct an entire
international system according to a universally
applicable plan or vision
• Leaders rarely place the highest value on long range
goals.
• It’s very much dependent on the capability and
ideology of the state. 18
• They may have international
repercussions as far as they are
complemented by the capabilities and powers
• Otherwise, they will not have any international
significance beyond paper consumption
and rhetoric level.
• This, however, doesn’t necessarily imply that
weak states do not formulate long range
objective.
• Every country has its own visions and
ambition proportional to its relative strength
and capabilities to be realized in the long run.
19
 Examples:
• Hitler’s Thousand Years Reich
• Japan’s Greater East Asia Co-Prosperity
Sphere
• The Soviet vision of world-wide communist
revolution
• U.S. efforts to make the world safe for
democracy

20
 2.2.3. Foreign Policy Behavior: Patterns
and Trends
 Foreign policy behavior refers to the actions
states take towards each other.
 Double standards and inconsistencies in the
records of all countries
 Arnold Wolfers: three possible patterns of FPB
 (1) self-preservation (maintaining the status quo)
 (2) self-extension (revising the status quo in one’s
own favor)
 (3) self-abnegation (revising the status quo in
some else’s favor) 21
  Self-preservation: US
 Following WWII emerged as one of the strongest actors.
 IMF, World Bank, GATT/WTO ……..shaped by US
 United Nations……………Veto Power
 After the collapse of USSR……….sole world power
 Self-extension: China, India, Brazil, Germany, BRICS
 Competing to restructure the international institutions and
different regime so as to create enabling environment to
promote their national interest
 Self-abnegation: weak states/ LDC
 States which fail to defend and promote their national
interests in their external relations.
 States that are weak and very much dependent on foreign
aid are profoundly caught with many problems in order to
pursue an autonomous policy.
 They compromise their long lasting national interest for
22
temporary and immediate benefits.
 2.2.4. Foreign Policy Dimensions: Alignment,
Scope and Modus operandi
• The analysis of foreign policy behavior can also
be done along a number of specific dimensions.
 Alignment
 A country’s alignment behavior can vary from
time to time.
 Alliances: are formal agreements to provide
mutual military assistance. Most common during
the Cold War era.
 Pool their military resources
 Access to foreign bases
23
  Neutrality: is a stance of formal non partisanship in world affairs.
 Do not usually form military alliance and do not help states in times of war.
 They may not also offer their territory for the passage of especially military goods
of another state.
 May avoid potential enemies and counter alliances.
 But, may lack protective military umbrella
 Nonalignment has been the foreign policy pattern of most developing
state during cold war.
 They called for a new foreign policy path/choice/ to be followed disregarding
both the West and East bloc politics and alliances.
 NAM had noble agenda that called for the South-South cooperation.
 They do not form military alliance with other states.
 Do not commit themselves militarily to support other state/states.
 A state with non-alignment policy may give different diplomatic support for
blocs/alliances or for states in a fight 24
  Scope
 Based on the scope of a country’s activities and interests abroad: at least three patterns of
foreign policy behaviors.
 Global actors:
 Major Powers in international relations have historically been those that have defined
their interest in global terms
 Interacting regularly with countries in nearly every region of the world.
 Regional actors:
 Most countries in the world are essentially regional actors
 Interacting primarily with neighboring states in the same geographical area.
 Isolationists:
 Key weakness or geographic remoteness
 In an age of interdependence, isolationism becomes an increasingly less viable foreign
policy orientation.
 This was the case with Burma in 1960 and 70s.
 Some of the known global actors such as United States of America, China, and the ex-
USSR all have passed period of relative isolationism and of mainly regional interests,
25
  Mode of Operation/ “Modus Opernadi’
 Multilateralist:
 Rely on multilateral institutions to address different issues.
 Through diplomatic forums in which several states participate i.e. UN
 Most developing countries…b/c it enhances collective barraging power of these
countries vis-a-vis other developed countries.
 In addition, bilateral relations-country to country approaches-(establishing
Embassies and assigning diplomatic staffs) are often found to be costly.
 Regardless of the power and capability question, countries may opt to use
multilateral frameworks as the best strategy to address issues with the spirit of
cooperation and peace.
 i.e. Germany, Scandinavian countries
 Unilateralist:
 Still others very much rely on unilateral means
 They play the carrot and stick diplomacy
 Intervention, threat of use of force and some time, use of force
26
 2.2.5. Instruments of Foreign Policy
1) Diplomacy
• A system of structured communication between two or more parties.
• To pursue their objectives in a peaceful manner
• The essence of diplomacy remains bargaining.
• Bargaining can be defined as a means of settling differences over
priorities between contestants through an exchange of proposals for
mutually acceptable solutions.
• Commonalities of modern diplomacy such as embassies, international
law and professional diplomatic services.
• Promote exchanges that enhance trade, culture, wealth and knowledge.
• Diplomacy is an essential tool required to operate successfully in
today’s international system. 27
 • Types of diplomacy:
– Multilateral diplomacy
– Public diplomacy
– Leader-to-leader (summitry diplomacy)
• Conducted for the most part between states.
• The Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations
(1961) – only references states as diplomatic
actors.
• Yet, the modern international system also involves
powerful actors that are not states.
• Like IGOs and INGOs 28
 Rules of Effective Diplomacy
A. Be realistic: goals that much your ability
B. Be careful about what you say
C. Seek common ground: concession/flexibility
D. Understand the other side:
E. Be patient
F. Leave avenues of retreat open
 In general, states use “carrot and stick” approaches
relying on diplomatic tactics such as threats,
punishment, promise, and rewards.
29
 2. Economic Instruments of Foreign Policy
 There hardly exists a state that is self sufficient
 There is a considerable degree of dependence up on
trade among states.
 But the degree of dependence and interdependence
varies across states.
 Some states are strong and capable as compared to
other states.
 These states often uses their economic muscle to
influence the behavior (action, perception and role) of
others. 30
 A. Tariff: taxing products coming into a country
B. Quota: sell only a certain amount in a given time
period
C. Boycott: eliminating import
D. Embargo: eliminating export
E. Loans, Credits and Currency Manipulations:
F. Foreign Aid: military, technical, grants and
commodity

31
 3. Propaganda
• Propaganda is systematic attempt to affect the minds,
emotions, and actions of a given group for public purposes.
• It is an organized effort by governments to convince foreign states
to accept policies favorable to them.
• The great bulk of the propaganda messages put out by a state
aims at creating a favorable view of a state by other states.
• Is an attempt primarily to influence another state/s through
emotional techniques rather than logical discussion or
presentation of empirical evidence.
• It is therefore a process of appealing to emotions rather than
minds by creating fear, doubt, sympathy, anger, or a variety of
other feelings.
• Using the media, magazines, newspaper, television, the
internet and other means.

32
 4. The Use of Force/War
• The vast majority of international affairs are
conducted through diplomacy.
• But still force remains the most important
instrument.
• The use of military force to resolve differences
between two or more states is the last resort states
use as an instrument.
• This implies that the goals of the warring states are
irreconcilable.
• While diplomacy is ongoing, military strength may be
useful to support diplomacy.
33
 2.3. Overview of Foreign Policy of Ethiopia
 2.3.1. Foreign Policy during Tewodros II (1855-1868)
– Before him there was only a sporadic and spasmodic foreign relations.
– Brought bold and original ideas about the foreign relations of his country
– The first leader who tried to develop a dynamic foreign policy that reached out
beyond the Horn Region.
– The forerunner of the policies of his successors.
 His major foreign policy objectives were:
1) To re-unify the old state:
 He defeated all minor kings fighting for the control of the throne.
 He wanted to create a united and strong Ethiopia
 But only partially succeeded.
2) To consolidate his power:
 To defeat internal contenders/regional powers and re-unify the
state.
 He was predominantly concerned with establishing control over 34 the
 3) To protect the territorial integrity of the state
 To defend the country against the threat of foreign expansionists
 To check the Turko-Egyptian imperialism that threatened his
country’s independence.
 He was a realist and nationalist leader with along-term foreign policy
strategy to protect the country from external threat.
 Accordingly, he tried to procure the much needed firearms and
ammunitions to equip his army.
 Moreover, he required Europeans to send him artisans to produce
military weapon for him at home
4) To make his country to be recognized as equal with European
powers
 His FP and diplomatic dealings were based on the principles of
sovereignty and reciprocity
 He sought the Western Christian world to recognize and respect his
country.
 Took desperate measures by taking hostage of several British
35
 5) Modernization
 Had passionate demand for modern technology and
skilled man power.
 He demanded to improve internal system for
modernization and renewal
 The development of the country
 He sought the Western Christian world to help him to
modernize his country
 To procure the much inspired technical aid to
modernize his country
 Directed his FP towards utilizing systematically the
knowledge of Europeans so as to modernize the
country.
 Hence, he introduced the idea of modernity and modern
36
  Foreign policy strategies:
A. Friendship and alliance with foreign
Christian powers:
 Attempted to establish his diplomatic
relations to fight his immediate enemies
claiming Christianity as instrument of foreign
policy.
 As Keller has put it “he appealed specifically
to Britain, France and Russia as Christian
nations to assist him in whatever ways
possible in his fight against the Turks,
Egyptians and Islam”. 37
 2.3.2. Foreign Policy during Yohannes IV (1872-
1889)
FP Objectives:
1) Consolidating his power at home
• He had to firmly establish himself against the strong
regional rivals (like King Menelik of Shoa)
• Friends were sought to help consolidate his power to
overcome domestic challenges.
2) To have free access to the sea:
• Friends were sought to help have free access to the
sea.
• Massawa was under the control of Italy with the
support of Britain, which had a control over part of
38
Eritrea.
3) To defend the country’s sovereignty/territorial
integrity
 Egypt tried to put a serious security threat ….to
control the source of Blue Nile: Gundet (1875) and
Gura (1876)
 Sudanese Mahdists were challenging Ethiopia from
the west..battle of Matama in 1889.
 In addition, the emperor saw European expansionism
as greater threat to the survival of the country.
 Britain also continued assisting Egypt to make an all-
out war against Ethiopia.
 Italy got a foot hold at the port of Massawa in 1885.
 The emperor died fighting with the “Mahadists”.
39
  Foreign policy strategy: Cultivating the foreign
relationship with Europe
 Yohannes considered Islam as a threat to the territorial
integrity of the polity.
 He followed patient diplomacy
 Used prudence in his dealings with foreign powers.
 He was willing to negotiate even with his enemies (Egypt,
Britain) that had imperial aspirations over the HoA,
Ethiopia.
 He adopted an “open-door policy” for desirable
influences of European Christian powers.
 He turned to France.
 He asked France for recognition of his country’s
independence, himself as a sovereign power, and 40 to be
  2.3.3. Foreign Policy during Menelik II (1889-93)
 Menelik was the King of Shoa region before his coronation as
the King of Kings of Ethiopia.
FP Objectives:
1) Access to the sea
 Expanded his sphere of influence towards the far South and
East incorporating new areas and communities peacefully or
otherwise.
 The southward expansionism policy of the King was mainly
targeted to have access to Sea Port, Zeila
 B/c the country’s access to the sea in the North had fallen
under Italy’s influence since the mid 1880s
 And the issue of outlet to the sea remained the burning
question determining its policy and role in the region.
 Agreement with France in 1897 recognizing Djibouti as official
41
2)Maintain the territorial integrity of his country:
 Italy continued to be the main challenge in the
North.
 The King saw the other colonial powers
surrounding all four corners of the country as
the scramble of Africa was heightened.
 The emperor followed double track diplomacy to
contain or reverse Italy’s expansion and maintain the
territorial integrity of his country.
 He entered many treaties and agreements to solve the
challenge amicably.
 The emperor was preparing himself by accumulating
military ammunitions to defend the aggression from any
side of colonial powers 42
 The emperor’s diplomatic endeavor with Italy
failed to result in peace due to Italy’s
misinterpretation of the controversial article
17 of the ‘Wuchalle’ treaty.
 In 1896, the emperor declared nation-wide
war against Italy in defense of the territorial
integrity and sovereignty of the century.
 Adwa victory
 Ethiopia’s foreign policy of the forth coming
rulers has significantly been informed by the
notion of territorial integrity of the
country. 43
  FP strategies: diplomacy
 He had diplomatic relations with external powers.
 This helped him import military equipments
from France, Britain and Russia for Adwa incident
 This diplomatic relation had radically increased
following the victory of Adwa
 This enhanced Ethiopia's international image.
 Britain, France, Russia and the vanquished Italy
came to Menelik’s Palace to arrange formal
exchange of Ambassadors.
 These powers signed formal boundary treaties
with the emperor. 44
  2.3.4. Foreign Policy during Emperor Haile Selassie I
(1916-1974)
FP Objectives:
1) The political independence/ territorial integrity of his
country:
 Italian invasion
2) Political /power consolidations:
 To build his power
 To ensure his survival at home
 There were internal forces challenging the regime
3) The creation of a stronger, centralized and
bureaucratic empire:
 He was dedicated to the creation of a stronger,
centralized and bureaucratic empire
 With unquestioned respect by the international community
45
 FP Strategies: Diplomacy
 Peaceful-coexistence and strong defense system
 In spite of repeated provocations from neighboring
countries, especially from Somalia, the emperor
succeeded in preventing his military force from adopting
aggressive stance to them
 Preferred to live peacefully with neighbors though the
latter supported internal rebels (i.e. ELF)
 Also believed in maintaining strong military
establishment for defense
 Had a military regarded as the best in black Africa.
 The emperor reiterated that the country’s preparedness
was to preserve peace not for aggression.
46
  Collective security: LN, UN
 Ethiopia’s membership in the League of Nations was
clearly instigated by the ever present danger of
invasion by Italians.
 The Emperor fled to London and established a
government in exile.
 Journeyed to Geneva to make a plea before the
League of Nations for aid in defense to the
country.
 The collective security system, the League ultimately
failed to take any substantive measure against Italy
and the plea of the King was ignored.
 The King continued to believe in the ultimate 47
  Recognized Ethiopia’s need for a powerful
external patron until he could restore the
independence of his country. ….Britain.
 Ethiopia was extremely dependent on British
military, economic and technical aid.
 The Emperor feared that Britain might either
declare Ethiopia a protectorate or as an
occupied enemy territory.
 This fear moved him to seek alternative
relationships ….USA
 Through diplomacy, Haile Selassie was able to
regain complete administrative control over
the territory he claimed and more by 1954.48
 In 1952 a U.N. resolution had made possible a federation
between Ethiopia and the former Italian colony of Eritrea.
 In 1962 the emperor made it a province.
 United States had coveted a base in Eritrea where it could
set up a radio tracking station.
 Haile Selasie viewed the use of such an installation by the
United States as having more benefits than costs
 Military aid, Military Assistance Advisory Group (training),
 Consolidated his military capacity and political power
 Decisive to ensure his survival at home and maintain the
territorial integrity of the country.
 He effectively used military action against those riots and
rebellions
 Contributed to the expansion of Ethiopian military as a hedge
against the Somalia threats. 49
 Ethiopia also played significant role in
Africa in fighting for African independence
and to end colonialism and apartheid.
 In the United Nations, Ethiopia played its
part in raising agendas and pressing for
resolutions against colonialism
 Ethiopia also played a significant role in
maintaining international peace and
security (Sudan, Korea, Congo)
 Generally, the emperor secured the
territorial integrity of the country and also
50
 Non-alignment :
– Ethiopia kept her options open in her
relations with others
– Maintained cordial relations with the two
mutually hostile blocs.
– Successful in diversifying his dependence
on foreign nations and securing assistances:
technology, money, expertise.
– He got as cordial and warm receptions in
Moscow or Peking as he had in Washington or
London.
51
  2.3.5. Foreign Policy during the Military
Government (1974—1991)
 The primary objectives of the foreign policy
were:
1) The survival of the regime
– The defense and legitimacy of the regime, so that it can
continue in power and be accepted at home and abroad.
– To firmly establish its authority and create internal political
stability
2) Maintaining the territorial integrity of the country.
– A threat from Somalia
– National security
– In order to guarantee territorial integrity and national unity
3) A restructured Ethiopian society 52
  Foreign policy strategies:
 The major strategy to achieve the stated objectives heavily
focused on building the military capability of the country
(force).
 The country was very much dependent on economic and military
aid on the others (socialists)
 Adopted a foreign policy largely oriented to socialist ideology.
 Thus, had a strong relation with Soviet Union, South Yemen, North
Korea, Cuba
 Massive inflow of armaments
 Somalia (Ogaden war 1977-78), WSLF, Eritrea (EPLF), TPLF
and other internal forces
 But, economically the regime was dependent on the West.
 Loans from EC, IMF, WB.....
 Like the Imperial regime, Derg attempted to play off a
multiplicity of donors against one another to maximize53its
 Apart from socialism, Ethiopia’s strategic locations
and other questions, such as; Eritrea, Somalia, and
the issue of the Nile, had also shaped the foreign
policy orientation and behavior of military government.
 With regard to Africa’s broader issues of
decolonization and anti-Apartheid struggle,
Ethiopia played significant role.
 The regime had extended its military and technical
support to Freedom fighters in Angola and Rhodesia.
 The regime had also showed its solidarity to
Palestine’s cause by condemning Israel and sought
political allegiance with the Arab world, however the
negative perception that most Arab countries have
towards Ethiopia remained unchanged. 54
 2.3.6. The Foreign Policy of Ethiopia in the Post 1991
FP Objectives:
With EPRDF’s ascent to power the country adopted a new foreign policy
orientation and objectives.
1) To ensure the survival of the multi-national state.
– The territorial integrity and independence of the country
– Eliminating or at least reducing external security threats.
– To create a regional and global atmosphere conducive for the
country’s peace and security.
2) To create favorable external environment to achieve rapid economic
development and build up democratic system.
– Failure to realize development and democracy has resulted in the
threat to the country’s security.
– To get considerable technical and financial support to build and
strengthen institutions of democratic governance, so crucial for the
growth of democracy.
– So democracy and development are the foreign policy visions 55 of
 Strategies:
• The primary strategy in realization of these goals is to
put the focus on domestic issues first.
• Addressing domestic political and economic problems.
• This strategy is called an “inside-out” approach.
• The inside out approach would then help to reduce the
countries vulnerability to threat.
• Economic diplomacy is adopted to strengthen the
domestic efforts in fighting poverty and
backwardness and address the issues of development.
• Economic diplomacy involves attracting foreign
investments, seeking markets for Ethiopian exportable
commodities, seeking aid and confessional loans 56too.
 • The Security and Foreign Policy of the country also
indicated that Ethiopia would adopt a kind of East-
look policy.
• To learn from Singapore, Malaysian and Indonesia
• The other foreign policy strategy is building up the
military capability of the country.
• Building up military capability would have a
deterrence effect.
• Though strategies may sometimes differ the primary
foreign policy objective of all the three regimes
remained the maintenance of the territorial
integrity and independence of the country.
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